Brimming with excitement for beautiful South Tyrol, we set off on our cycling tour "The Pearls of South Tyrol" at the end of June. My colleagues are always raving about this wonderfully varied region, and I’m thrilled to finally experience it by bike myself.
Joining me are my best friend, my partner, and his uncle. From our hometown of Salzburg, we take an eco-friendly train ride via Innsbruck to Brixen and arrive in under five hours. The weather is perfect, and we spend the afternoon soaking up the city’s charm over a glass of Aperol on the stunning cathedral square. In the evening, we enjoy a classic Italian dinner of pizza, pasta, and vino at the restaurant Traubenwirt — highly recommended!
Our first day begins with a short, scenic train ride from Brixen to the Brenner Pass. Bringing our rental bikes along is easy, and from the Brenner train station we set off downhill through the Eisack Valley toward Sterzing. The route is mostly downhill today, with just a few short climbs — a welcome change of pace, and with our PLUS rental bikes we’re perfectly equipped.
The cycling paths are a pleasure to ride and clearly signposted, so we quickly make our way to Sterzing, where we pause for a short break. We wander through the charming old town and enjoy a light lunch.
From Sterzing, we continue along the bike path toward Brixen, soaking in the beautiful scenery along the way. The Eisack River brings a refreshing breeze now and then, and after about 55 kilometers of cycling we arrive back in Brixen, pleasantly tired and ready to spend another night in this lovely town.
After a generous breakfast, we continue on to South Tyrol’s charming capital, Bolzano. Today’s stage is completely flat, and we ride exclusively on the excellent bike paths. Following the Eisack River the whole way, we’re treated to beautiful scenery throughout the day. Highlights include the impressive Säben Abbey in Klausen and the arched bridge at Waidbruck.
We’re lucky today: just as we park our bikes at the cozy bike station “Bios Ristoro,” it starts to rain. Fortunately, the shower doesn’t last long, and after a refreshing drink, we pedal the final 15 kilometers into Bolzano.
In Bolzano, our first stop isn’t the hotel, but the local bike station. We’re warmly welcomed by our wonderful colleagues, who are responsible for tour information, bike rental and maintenance, and overall guest support on our South Tyrol tours. After a tour of the station and a delicious glass of apple juice, we head to our hotel, located right in the heart of Bolzano — the perfect starting point for our evening plans.
Today we ride one of the most beautiful stages of our tour. After a short stretch along the river, we soon enter the apple orchards. The first section features several climbs, but we’re quickly rewarded with a stunning view over the city of Bolzano. The route continues uphill through the forest, passing through small tunnels along the way. Once the climb is behind us, we glide through more apple orchards, enjoying mostly downhill stretches with a few smaller climbs. Just before reaching Lake Caldaro, we pause to take in the breathtaking view of the lake and surrounding mountains. Bathed in sunshine, we stop right by the lake and treat ourselves to a well-deserved Veneziano. For the ride back to Bolzano, we have two options: the super-smooth bike path along the river Adige or the hillier route via the Montiggler Lakes.
After a brief discussion, we opt for the second, more challenging route. We cycle along forest paths through woods and small villages, tackling several climbs, including some longer and steeper stretches. The effort is well worth it, and we enjoy a leisurely lunch under the trees with a view of Montiggler Lake. Right by the lake, a small snack station with a swimming area invites us to take a slightly longer break before continuing.The second part of the ride is flatter again, winding through small villages and more apple orchards until we return to Bolzano. After a light dinner, we head to bed a little tired but full of beautiful impressions, already looking forward to tomorrow’s stage to Merano!
Today we can fully enjoy the route through the Adige Valley. We ride along well-thought-out, smooth, and flat paths, passing through charming villages and seemingly endless apple orchards. We make a short detour to Nalles to visit family, where we’re treated to a slice of homemade cake and a glass of regional wine.
Refreshed, we continue on to Merano, excited to reach our final hotel on the route. With a pool in the garden, our afternoon plans are simple: relaxing by the pool before heading into town in the evening. We take a long stroll through the beautiful city and round off this leisurely day of cycling with a delicious dinner.
And just like that, the last day of cycling is upon us. Today, a train ride is once again on the agenda. The journey itself proves to be another highlight — just like on the first day, we’re treated to stunning views of mountains and the surrounding landscape. The famous Vinschgau Railway takes us from Merano to Mals, where we begin our ride back.
The route is almost entirely downhill, and we can fully enjoy cycling along the Adige River. With high temperatures today, the cool breezes from the river along the way are especially welcome. We make a short stop at a beautiful little fishpond in Prad, refreshing ourselves with a drink at the charming café right by the water.
The ride continues past towns such as Schluderns and Naturns before we return to Merano. On our final evening, we reflect on the wonderful Eurobike Original Tour over one last excellent dinner in
There were many highlights on our cycling tour, but if someone asked me to pick my personal favorite, I wouldn’t hesitate: the Montiggler Lakes. On the third day, during our ride back to Bolzano from Lake Caldaro, we opted for the route via the Montiggler Lakes.
The route is more challenging than the first option, but it’s absolutely worth it! The view of the small Montiggler Lake from the cozy snack station was wonderfully peaceful. On top of that, we felt a real sense of pride for having tackled the climbs — a truly beautiful moment in an even more beautiful setting.
From gentle river valleys to sunny coastal paths – your dream cycling holiday awaits. Secure your desired dates now and enjoy the early bird bonus until 28 February.
